Adaptable transparency

ABSTRACT

By adjusting visual settings on a display behind a section of a background to emphasize menu options, a user can determine the status in the series of menus and sub-menus and can better read the menu options.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/554,676, filed Oct. 31, 2006 and titled ADAPTABLE TRANSPARENCY, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Personal media players continue to grow in popularity. From portableradios to mobile phones to portable video players, there is demand forportable devices players to have additional functionality. However,additional functionality has a cost in that additional functionalityalso means additional complexity in menus. Attempting to navigatethrough all the available options can be confusing and frustrating inthat users may not know how far into a series of menus they may havegone. In addition, part of the additional functionality allows users topersonalize the players such as using their own photographs as abackground on the display of the player. As a result, standard colorsfor displays such as menus may be washed out when viewed in front of theuser selected background.

SUMMARY

As media players increase functionality, the ability to read andattractively determine status in a series of menus and sub-menus isincreasingly difficult. By adjusting visual settings on a backgroundimage behind a section of a menu of options, a user can determine thestatus in the series of menus and sub-menus and can better read the menuoptions. The background section to be adjusted may be set in advance ormay be determined based on the length of the options in the menus. Inaddition, the size of the background image may be adjusted to reflecthow far into the series of menus and submenus the user has progressed.In effect, the user may perceive the deeper into the series of menus andsubmenus they proceed, the closer the background image becomes and theuser may be able to determine just by looking at the background imagethe relative depth they have proceeded in the menu and series ofsubmenus.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the components that make up a media player;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a flowchart of a method of adjusting adarkness setting of a section of the background image;

FIG. 3 a is an illustration of a media player with a display; and

FIG. 3 b is an illustration of the display of the media player.

DESCRIPTION

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description ofnumerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legalscope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forthat the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construedas exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment sincedescribing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if notimpossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, usingeither current technology or technology developed after the filing dateof this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined inthis patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ ishereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intentto limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication,beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not beinterpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in anysection of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To theextent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent isreferred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning,that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader,and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implicationor otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element isdefined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recitalof any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim elementbe interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixthparagraph.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of exemplary hardware that may be used for amedia player 100. The media player 100 may have a processing unit 102, amemory 104, a user interface 106, a storage device 108 and a powersource (not shown). The memory 104 may include volatile memory 110 (suchas RAM), non-volatile memory 112 (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) orsome combination of the two.

The media player 100 may also include additional storage 108 (removableand/or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or opticaldisks or tape or any other memory that can be easily rewritten, may keepdata for long periods of time when power is removed, and may allow quickand efficient access to data. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG. 1 by removable storage 118 and non-removable storage 120. Computerstorage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, digital media, or other data. Memory 104, removablestorage 118, and non-removable storage 120 are all examples of computerstorage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology. Any suchcomputer storage media may be part of player 100.

The processing unit 102 may be any processing unit 102 capable ofexecuting computer code to decode media data from a compressed formatinto a useable form fast enough such that music and video may be playedcontinuously without skips or jumps. When in a portable media player, itmay also be useful if the processor 102 efficiently uses power toincrease the life of the power source. The processing unit 102 may alsobe used to execute code to support a user interface and externalcommunications.

The user interface may include one or more displays 114 for bothdisplaying control information and displaying viewable media. Thedisplay 114 may be a color LCD screen that fits inside the player 100.User input(s) 116 may include either manual buttons, soft buttons, or acombination of both. Soft buttons may be used when the display 114includes a touch screen capability. Manual buttons may includere-definable keys with programmable legends.

The media player 100 may also contain communications connection(s) 122that allow the player 100 to communicate with external entities 124,such as network endpoints, other media players, network access points,or a computer used for synchronization. Communications connection(s) 122is an example of communication media. Communication media typicallyembodies computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and includes any information deliverymedia. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one ormore of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. The term computer readable media asused herein includes both storage media and communication media.

The power source may be a battery that may be rechargeable. The powersource may also be a standard battery or an input from a powerconverter.

In operation, a user may connect to external entities 124 through avariety of network types to include local and wide area networks usingany number of communication protocols and standards. For example, amedia player may connect to a network implementing any of the Ethernet,ARCNet, FDDI, IEEE 1394, Token Ring, or TCP/IP standards. Media playersmay connect to each other through a central access point or in an ad hocfashion. Once connected, the players may share and transfer data filesincluding media content.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a method of displayingdata on the display 114 of a portable media player 100. At block 200, afirst display image 300 may be displayed on the display 114 where thedisplay image may include a background image 305 and text 310. In oneembodiment, the text is a menu of options 310. The display 114 may bethe display 114 as described in reference to FIG. 1 or it may be aseparate display in which the media player 100 is in communication suchas a flat panel display. More specifically, the portable media player100 may have the ability to store and play movies, photos and othervisual media and it may be desirable to view the visual media on alarger display. The media player 100 may have a communication port 122that may be connected via wires as inputs to the second display, thecommunication may be accomplished through a secondary processor such asa cable box or dvd player with input capabilities or through wirelesscommunication methods such as Bluetooth, 802.11, etc.

Referring to FIG. 3 a, a sample media player is illustrated. On thedisplay 114, a background image 305 (ABC in this illustration) and text310 (menu options in this illustration) may be thought of as separateimages although they may appear as a single image on the display. Thebackground image 305 may be virtually any image that is in a form to beelectronically displayed. Common image formats include jpeg, gif, tiff,etc. In addition, the background image 305 may be a moving image such asa moving image in a format such a mpeg, avi, mpeg4, etc. The backgroundimage 305 may be stored in the memory 108 of the media device.

The text 310 may be available to be selected via the user input 116. Thetext 310 may be virtually any text such as text related to thecapabilities of the player and the media available to the player, suchas menu options. Some sample menu options may be Music, Videos, Games,Photographs, Movies, Notes, Contacts, More, etc., as the media player100 may be capable of displaying and may have available photographs,movies and music. Of course, additional options are contemplated. Thetext 310 may appear to hover over the background image 305. For example,in FIG. 3 a, the background image 305 may be of the letters “ABC” butthe text 310 may be read over the background image 305.

At block 210, a selection as may be made. The selection may be the text310. By selecting the text 310, additional information about the text310 may be obtained. For example, one text entry 310 may be a menuoption for Music and there may be a variety of things that the mediaplayer 100 could do with Music such as play the music, changeequalization settings of the music, change skins for the music, changethe volume of the music, share the music with others, record new music,buy new music, list all the music on the player 100, a list all musicavailable, list playlists, etc. All the potential menu options couldfill up the display 114 many times over. As a result, it may makes senseto break the menu options down into smaller related groups and allow thegradual navigation through a smaller number of related menu options ofprogressively more specific sub-menus. FIG. 3 b may be an illustrationof an embodiment where the additional text 313 to be displayed may be asecond menu of options that are related to the text 310 selected. Forexample, if Music is selected, one or more options related to Music(play, record, shuffle, share, etc.) may be displayed as additional text313 of additional options on the second menu.

At block 220, a darkness setting or level of transparency of a section315 of the background image 305 may be adjusted. The concept may be thata user is stepping further into the series of menus and the further auser proceeds into the series of menus, the darker or lighter thebackground image 305 may become. In addition, the adjusted backgroundsection 315 may improve the ability to read the menu options dependingon the font color used to display the text 310 and the colors in thebackground image 305. The section of the background image 315 may belightened or darkened. In addition, the amount of the adjustment of thedarkness setting may have a default amount and the adjustment may begreater or less than the default amount. Further, a variety of displayoptions in the section of the background image may be adjusted such ascolor, contrast, tint, intensity, brightness, etc., to highlight thesection of the background image. The background image 305 may still beviewable through darkened section 315 as the section may still betransparent but it may be more or less transparent to highlight the text310.

In execution, the adjusting of the section of the background 315 mayhave a variety of different embodiments. In one embodiment, the sectionof the background image that is adjusted 315 may be the background image305 behind the additional text 313. The adjusted background image 305may be a set area that is known in advance to contain the additionaltext 313. For example, a section of the background image 305 fordisplaying the additional text 313 may be assigned and the darknesssetting of the section of the display image 315 for displaying a secondmenu of second options may be increased. More specifically, the left ⅓of the display image (when looking at the display 114) may be fordisplaying menus and the left ⅓ of the display image may be the sectionof the background 315 that may be adjusted.

In another embodiment, a maximum length of the additional text 313 to bedisplayed may be determined and the section of the background image 315behind the maximum length of the additional text 313 to be displayed maybe adjusted. As the length of the additional text 313 displayed maychange for each of the text options 310 in the previous display, thesection to be adjusted 315 may also change. For example, if Music isselected in a first menu, the additional text 313 may be a menu optionon the sub-menu such as a Playlist where predetermined songs are playedbut if Video is selected, Playlist may not be an option. Playlist as anoption in the second Music menu may be a longer option than any of theoptions in the second Video menu and as a result, the section to beadjusted 315 in the second menu option for Music may be larger than thesection of the second menu option for Videos.

In another embodiment, the section of the background image 315 to beadjusted may be adjusted using a gradient of darkness across the sectionof the background image 315 to be adjusted. In this embodiment, thesection of the background image 315 may be the entire background image.For example, if the darkness setting has a 10 point scale with 10 beingthe highest setting and 0 being the lowest, the darkness setting maystart at 7 on a left side (when looking at the display 114) of thedisplay 114 and fall to 0 on a right side of the display 114. In thisembodiment, the menu options may be easier to read as the area behindthe options may be darkened and the rest of the background picture maybecome gradually less dark. In a further embodiment, the adjusteddarkness setting may gradually proceed across the display 114 to furtheremphasize the effect.

In yet another embodiment, the background image 305 may be evaluated todetermine a darkness amount in the background image 305 and the darknesssetting may be adjusted based on the darkness amount in the backgroundimage 305. For example, if the background image 305 is of a white horsein a snow covered field and the font color for displaying the additionaltext 313 is white, the evaluation may result in the darkness setting tobe increased. In another case, if the background image 305 is of a blackcat walking in the dark and the font color to display the second menu isblack, the evaluation may result in the darkness setting to be decreasedand the section of the background may be lightened.

The evaluation may also result in an adjustment of the darkness levelgreater or less than a default value. Logically, if the background image305 is evaluated to be significantly darker than the font color fordisplaying the options in the additional text 313, the darkness settingmay be adjusted less than a default amount as the additional text 313will already be easy to read. Of course, variations are possible and arecontemplated. For example, if the default font for displaying theadditional text 313 is a dark color and the background image 305 isevaluated to be dark, the section to be adjusted may be adjusted(lightened, for example) more than a default value to make theadditional text 313 easier to read.

Similarly, a color used to display the menu of additional text 313 maybe evaluated and the darkness setting may be adjusted based on the colorused to display the additional text 313. For example, if the defaultfont color for displaying the additional text 313 is black, the darknesssetting may be adjusted to lighten the background image 305. Inaddition, the amount of the adjustment of the darkness setting may beadjusted based on the font color used to display the additional text.For examples, in situations where the font color is close to the colorof the background image 305, the amount of the adjustment of thedarkness setting may be higher to increase the difference between thebackground colors and the font color.

The darkness setting may be based on whether a backlight in the mediaplayer 100 is on. If the backlight is on, the amount of the adjustmentof the darkness amount may be less. In other situations, there may be adesire to preserve battery life and the desire may be to use the minimumamount of power on the display 114, the desire to not use power on thedisplay 114 may trump the desire to highlight a section of thebackground image 305 in which case the amount of the adjustment of thedarkness level may be less.

In an embodiment where an ambient light sensor is part of the mediaplayer 100 (for example, communicating to the processor 102 (FIG. 1)through the communication port 122 (FIG. 1)), the darkness setting maybe adjusted based on the ambient light measured at the media player 100.For example, if the ambient light sensor has a relatively high readingthen the amount of adjustment may be increased beyond a default value asthe distinction between the adjusted section 315 and a non adjustedsection 320 may be more difficult to notice. In situations where theambient light reading is relatively low, the amount of adjustment may beless as it may be easier to notice the difference between the adjustedsection 315 and the non-adjusted section 320. Further, the ambient lightmay also affect whether the section to be adjusted 315 is lightened ordarkened. If the sensor indicates it is dark, the section to be adjusted315 may be lightened and in situations where the sensor indicates it islight, the section to be adjusted 315 may be darkened.

The darkness setting may also be adjusted based on whether the mediadevice 100 is in communication with a second display. As the display 114on the media player 100 may be relatively small in comparison to asecond display, a more dramatic adjustment of the darkness of thesection 315 of the background image 305 on the display 114 may benecessary as compared to the adjustment necessary to highlight a section315 on a 50 inch plasma screen, for example. Depending on thecapabilities of the media player 100, the media player 100 may be ableto recognize the type of second display and make adjustments based onthe type of second display. If the second display is not recognized,additional default values may be used that are designed to maximize theeffect on a default second display.

The section of the background 315 to be darkened may be adjusted basedon the orientation of the additional text 313, the orientation of thebackground image, the orientation of the text, etc. For example, thedisplay 114 may have a larger length than width as may the media player100 itself. In a vertical orientation, the longer length of the display114 may be vertical and the shorter width of the display may behorizontal. The media player 100 may also be turned ninety degrees inwhich case the longer length will be horizontal and the shorter widthmay to vertical. Music may have a default vertical orientation andvideos may have a default horizontal orientation. As a result of thechanging orientation of the media player 100, the background image 305may rotate also such that the top of the background image may remain atthe top of the media player 100 display 114 as the orientation of themedia player 100 changes. Accordingly, the section of the backgroundimage 315 may also need to change as the orientation of the media player100 changes. For example, if the display 114 is in a horizontalorientation, the section 315 of the background image 305 that is to beadjusted may be different than if the orientation was vertical as thebackground picture 305 itself may be adjusted to better fit theorientation.

In another embodiment, the type (lighten or darken) and amount ofdarkness setting to be used may be adjusted by a user. Some users maydesire the adjusted section 315 of the background image to be strikingin which case the amount of the darkness setting may be adjusted to avalue higher than a default. Other users may not appreciate theusefulness of adjusting the section 315 of the background image 305 inwhich case the user may adjust the amount of the darkness setting to bebelow a default value. In another example, the user may have a preferredview of the background image 305 and may decide that lightening thesection 315 of the background image 305 is more effective than darkeningthe section 315 of the background image 305.

Further, the size of the background to be adjusted 315 may beadjustable. Some users may find it preferable to define on their own thesection 315 of the background image 305 that is to be adjusted asdifferent users may have different levels of usefulness.

In another embodiment, as a user progresses through the first menu andthe sub-menus, the options of the sub-menus may line up further acrossthe display. For example, the first menu 310 may have the option line upvertically one centimeter from the left side of the display 114 (whenlooking at the display 114), the additional text 313 may be a series ofsub-menus where on the first submenu, the options line up vertically twocentimeters from the left side of the display 114, the second submenumay have the options line up three centimeters from the left side of thedisplay, etc. Accordingly, the section 315 to be adjusted may also moveto stay behind the options.

If a user selects from the second menu to return to a previous displayimage, the darkness setting for the previous display image may return toan original value.

The darkening may occur in a variety of different ways. In oneembodiment, the background image 305 may be thought of as a first layer,a middle layer may be used to provide the desired darkness and theadditional text 313 may be a third layer closest to the viewer. Themiddle layer may be used to provide the type of adjustment (lighten ordarken) and the amount of adjustment. For example, if the section of thebackground image 305 is to be darkened, the middle layer may insert alighter layer. The layer may adjust a few pixels to obtain the desiredeffect. For example, every tenth pixel in the section of the middlelayer that will overlay the section of the background image 305 to beadjusted may be adjusted to a darker color, for example.

In another embodiment, the section 315 of the background image 305 to beadjusted may be analyzed. In order to obtain the desired type of effect,the pixels in the section to be adjusted 315 may be either darkened orlightened by a desired number of shades. For example, if the desiredeffect is darkening and the background photo 305 has blue in the sectionto be adjusted 315, the blue may be adjusted to a darker blue dependingon the amount of the darkening desired. Similarly, the if the desiredeffect is lightening and the background photo 305 has blue in thesection to be adjusted 315, the blue may be adjusted to a lighter bluedepending on the amount of the lightening desired.

More specifically, the levels of red, green and blue in the section 315of the background image 305 to be adjusted may be determined. The levelof red, green and blue in the section 315 of the background image 305 tobe adjusted may be reduced which will darken the section 315. Forexample, if the levels of red, green and blue were set to 0, the section315 would be black. Similarly, the amount of red, green and blue may beincreased to lighten the section 315.

Referring again to FIG. 2, at block 230, a second menu of second options313 may be displayed over the background image 305 where the secondoptions 313 are related to the selected option. In addition, when theadditional text 313 is displayed, the size of the background image 305may adjust. For example, the background image 305 may become larger withthe concept may be that a user is stepping further into the series ofmenus and is getting closer to the background image. As a result, thefurther a user proceeds into the series of menus, the larger thebackground image may become.

In one embodiment, a first version of the background image 305 isdisplayed for a first menu 310 and an adjusted version of the backgroundimage 305 may be displayed on all other additional text 313 displays. Inanother embodiment, the background image 305 may be dynamically adjustedas sub-menus are selected. For example, in a first display of additionaltext 313, the original background image may be increase in size by 10percent, in a second display of additional text (such as a sub-menu tothe first sub-menu) the original background image may be increase insize by 20 percent, and in a third display of additional text, theoriginal background image may be increased in size by 30 percent, etc.

In execution, adjusting the size of images is known. The size of thebackground image 305 may be adjusted as needed, may be adjusted when thebackground image 305 is selected or may be adjusted at a time when theplayer has excess processing capacity and stored for quick futureaccess.

The adjustment of the size of the background image 305 may beindependent or the adjustment of the darkness setting of the section ofthe background image 305 previously described in FIG. 2 or may berelated to the adjustment of the darkness setting of the section 315 ofthe background image 305. For example, in one embodiment, the adjustmentin size and the darkening of a section 315 of the background image 305may happen on demand while in another embodiment, versions of thebackground image 305 with adjustment in size and the darkening of thesection 315 are saved in advance.

Although the forgoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerousdifferent embodiments, it should be understood that the scope of thepatent is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end ofthis patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplaryonly and does not describe every possible embodiment because describingevery possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible.Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using eithercurrent technology or technology developed after the filing date of thispatent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

Thus, many modifications and variations may be made in the techniquesand structures described and illustrated herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present claims. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the methods and apparatus described herein areillustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the claims.

1. On a portable computing device comprising a processor and a display,a method of displaying data on the display, the method comprising:displaying a display image comprising a background image and text;receiving selection of a first option; responsive to the selection ofthe first option, adjusting a size of the background image correspondingto a menu depth of a selected menu corresponding to the first option toform a first adjusted background image; and displaying additional textover the section of the background image, where the additional text isrelated to the option selected.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theadditional text comprises a second menu of second options.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising adjusting the darkness setting of asection of the background image in response to receiving the selectionof the first option.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein adjusting thedarkness setting comprises adjusting a section of the background imagebehind the additional text.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein adjustingthe darkness of the background image further comprises: determining amaximum length of the additional text to be displayed; and adjusting asection of the background image behind the maximum length of theadditional text to be displayed.
 6. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: assigning a section of the display image for displaying theadditional text; and adjusting the darkness setting of the section ofthe display image for displaying the additional text.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: evaluating the background image todetermine a darkness amount in the background image; and adjusting thedarkness setting based on the darkness amount in the background image.8. The method of claim 3, further comprising: evaluating a color used todisplay the menu of second options; and adjusting the darkness settingbased on the color used to display the menu of second options.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: analyzing the background image;and selecting a color for the additional text based on analyzing thebackground image.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the section of thebackground to be darkened is adjustable.
 11. The method of claim 1,further comprising adjusting the darkness setting based on whether abacklight in the computing device is on.
 12. The method of claim 1,further comprising adjusting the darkness setting based on the ambientlight measured at the media player.
 13. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising adjusting the darkness setting based on whether the mediadevice is in communication with a second display.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising adjusting the section of the background tobe darkened based on the orientation of one or more of the text, theadditional text, the background image and the display.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising, if from the display of the additional texta selection is made to return to a previous display image, returning thedarkness setting for the previous display image to an original value.16. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer executableinstructions stored in a tangible form for displaying data on a portablemedia device comprising computer executable instructions for: displayinga display image comprising a background image and text; allowingselection of a first option; responsive to the selection of the firstoption, adjusting a darkness setting of a section of the backgroundimage; adjusting a size of the background image corresponding to a menudepth of a selected menu corresponding to the first option to form afirst adjusted background image; displaying additional text over thesection of the background image, where the additional text is related tothe selected option and allows selection of a second option; receiving aselection of a second option; and responsive to the selection of thesecond option, further adjusting the background image size to correspondto the menu depth after the selection of the second option to form asecond adjusted background image of a different size than the backgroundimage and the first adjusted background image.
 17. The computer readablestorage medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions are furtherexecutable to: adjust a background color of a section of the backgroundimage behind the additional text to be displayed to a colorcorresponding to the menu depth of the additional text.
 18. The computerreadable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions are executable to:determine a maximum length of the additional text to be displayed; andadjust a section of the background image behind the maximum length ofthe additional text to be displayed.
 19. A portable computing devicecomprising a processor for executing computer executable instructions, amemory for storing computer executable instructions and a display,wherein the memory stores computer executable instructions comprisingcomputer executable instruction for: displaying a first display imagecomprising a background image and a menu of options; receiving selectionof an option; determining a maximum length of additional text to bedisplayed in response to the selection of the option; and adjusting asection of the background image behind the maximum length of theadditional text to be displayed.
 20. The portable media player of claim19, wherein adjusting a section of the background image comprisesadjusting one or more of a color and a darkness of the section of thebackground image.